Di Bradini Cup 27/U21WC48 RP/Roster/Scores Thread

[Felix]

Previous Editions of The National:
U-21 World Cup: The Journey Begins
U-21 World Cup: Our First Match Ends With A Draw
U-21 World Cup: A Last Second Win
U-21 World Cup: Swept Away By The Free Republics
U-21 World Cup: Into The Quarterfinals

U-21 World Cup: Semifinals?!

By: Steven Smith

In a shock win for all Felixans supporting the new U-21 team the boys made it to the semifinals in a 3-1 win over Farfadillis. The game sends shockwaves throughout Felix as none, not even the most diehard fans excepted the U-21 team to go this far in the tournament. But a win is a win and now the Young Phoenixes face off against rival, Free Republics, a team that beat Felix, 3-0 in the group stage. They won in a somewhat dramatic way against the Licentian Islands, 0-1. They barely beat them as the Licentian team played a defensive style of play, will Felix adopt that? Well according to Aureliano Sanna, that will be a no. They will continue to play their aggressive, offensive style of a 4.5. Sanna also said in the post game conference that he will be ecstatic if Felix wins or loses, he said that a semifinal finish is good enough for him. But he admitted a first place finish would be nice. The other two teams to advance to the semis is the football (or hoofball) giants of Equestrian States and Polar Islandstates. The two are very good teams and it would a shame if one of them couldn't get in the "grand" final. We will get to detail on all the previews and stuff, but now, lets talk about our historic win!

The first half the Felixans started off strong with quick and brutal attacks against the Farf defense, but nonetheless the Farfs held on and prevented any opportunities for shots. That all stopped at the 14th minute as Fierro tried to score from 21 meteres but it was blocked by the Farf goalkeeper. In the 17th, Felix scored with a goal from Esser, a nice shot from 20 meteres. 1-0 Felix. But Farfs responded back in the 31st with a shot from their forward. Two minutes later the Felixan team attempted to get their lead back but the shot from Pena missed the crossbar. The match is tied at halftime 1-1. Sanna, the head coach of the national team, was a bit nervous but told his team that they can win and go to the semis and face off against the winner of FRR-LI game.

Felix finally retook their lead in the 50th with a goal from Fierro after a excellent pass was made by Sebastian Krister. Krister has once again proven that he is a weapon for the Felixan team. The Farfs attempted to tie twice in one minute after our goalkeeper blocked two shots in a row! Felix attempted to increase their lead 10 minutes later but failed after the play was called offsides. Finally in the 87th minute Felix finished the Farfdillis team with a goal from Esser. The team went on to the field to dogpile, Esser, Krister and Fierro. All chanting the Felixan name and waving the flag. After the glorious win we now face off against the FRR next, wish us luck and go Felix!

Oh and we almost forgot those statistics you love. Here they're.

Goals
(14th): Noe Fierro (FEL)
(31st): D'Cruze (FAR)
(50th): Luca Esser (FEL)
(87th): Luca Esser (FEL)
Assists
(14th): Sebastian Krister (FEL)
Possession
Felix (FEL): 52%
Farfadillis (FAR): 48%
Shots
Felix (FEL): 13
Farfadillis (FAR): 5
Shots At Goal
Felix (FEL): 10
Farfadillis (FAR): 5
Fouls
Felix (FEL): 5
Farfadillis (FAR): 7
Cards
Yellow (0): N/A
Red (0): N/A
Man Of The Match
Luca Esser.

[Polar Islandstates]

Einarsson helps Nilsson celebrate his last minute volleyed drive
TERNS AVENGED
Chicks into semis with late win over Darmen

Two late strikes from the Chicks saw them defeat the opposition from Darmen in Saugeais last night, progressing to the semi finals of the Di Bradini Cup and exacting retribution for our Rushmori rivals' surprise victory over the Terns at the last World Cup in the process.

Joachim Karlsen's continued injury meant a first start of the tournament for the enigmatic Vauxhall Jansen, and the unpredictable defender was involved right from the off, almost gifting a goal to Sun Wen with a misplaced pass. But for an outstanding reaction save from Superanaskaia, the Chicks would have been one-nil down after mere seconds. With the conscience of a man so young however, Jansen picked himself up and reacted well, bombing down the wing on the overlap for Roman Nystrom and whipping in a cross that Wolff was unlucky to knock over with a stabbed right toe.

The Chicks grew into the game after those first five minutes, and Wolff and Zeljeznicar continued to cause trouble going forwards, several times reaching shooting positions only to be denied by last ditch tackles. The Chicks didn't have it all their own way however, and Adams and Baker tested the back four on more than one occasion.

The best chance of the first half fell, predictably, to Wolff however, and when a long ball from Haagenstadt sent him clean through in a one-on-one with Claudeau he was slightly overenthusiastic shot and his chip over the advancing keeper from twenty-five yards bounced off the bar of the open goal and went out. Hands on head, Wolff turned to the bench for encouragement, but was unable to really find his stride against until after half time.

Realising that the free-flowing ranks of three in Darmen's formation was causing our more rigid ranks some trouble, van der Riise made the decision to replace the wingers Sodermalm and Nystrom with more centrally based Holzhauser and Kuetari in a bid to swamp the midfield with close passing and swift counter-attacks. The Darmeni attackers found it more difficult to break through the ranks of the Chicks' midfielders after that, and the balance of the game began to sway away from a Chicks counter-attacking system to a game that the Chicks had control of. The introduction of Yann-Erik Nilsson in place of Jon Horvat at the back only strengthened the Chicks' resolve at the back, and they were able to press on in search of the goal that they needed to get through.

They left it late, but they eventually bulldozed their way through, and Torsten Wolff was in the right place at the right time to slam home Anders Holzhauser's long range effort after it had been palmed out by Claudeau. The relief was visible on the faces of the players and fans alike, and the team began to play with more freedom following the goal. When another shot from Wolff rained down on goal and was palmed wide by Claudeau, Vauxhall Jansen stepped up to whip in the corner. Einarsson was beaten in the air by Hilbert, but the weak clearance looped up high and down for Nilsson to to volley home emphatically to underline the victory.

The Chicks will now face Equestrian States for a place in the final, as van der Riise chases down a second u21 World Cup title.

[Equestrian States]

ESPN: Equestrian Sports Programming Network
Di Bradini Cup 27: We Have Returned
by Steve McNotapony

Equestrian States - 2
Pristina Shine '27
Sonar '79

Northern Sunrise Islands - 0
None

MONTBENOIT, SAUGEAIS - Following a clean 2-0 victory over Northern Sunrise Islands, the Equestrian States U-21s are back in the semifinals of the Di Bradini Cup for the second consecutive time.

As was predicted, Equestrian supporters turned out in force to cheer on their Little Ponies in one of the world's most distinguished tournaments, refusing to silence themselves for much of the match. Meanwhile, in the Equestrian States, many fans attending Market Cup group stage matches reportedly were in the stadiums solely to watch updates from the Little Ponies-Marills match on bigger screens, a fact which the National Equestrian Sports Council declined to comment upon. But regardless of where they were, the supporters of the Little Ponies were in for a treat from their beloved team.

The first half was fairly even-matched, with both squads having their turns on the attack and the defensive. However, one fateful drive by the Equestrian States would give the team precisely what it needed most: an early lead. The Little Ponies have historically done extremely well when scoring first, often dominating the second half to the extent where their opponents are not given any legitimate chances to mount a comeback. Thus, when Pristina Shine snuck a beautiful arcing shot by Felipe Pato to put the Equestrian States on the scoreboard in the 27th minute of play, it was reason enough for Equestrian fans to celebrate.

After the break, the Little Ponies did as they have done so many times before, bursting out of the lockers with a furious, high-paced attack on their opponents. But the Marills were saved this time by Pato, who was clearly intent on not surrendering another goal to the Equestrian forwards. And so the match wore on, with the Equestrian States controlling the tempo, grinding away at their opponent's stamina and biding their time for another offensive.

The breakaway came seemingly out of nowhere. One moment the ball was trapped at midfield, where Rainbow Blitz, Krystal, and Stardust seemed to be toying with their opponents much as a predator does with its prey. Then, the next moment, Sonar was plowing through the Marills' defense into the open backfield. Time seemed to slow as the bat pony converged on Pato. When he was just a few yards away from the tensed Sunrisian goalkeeper, Sonar lanced the ball off to the side, out of reach of a stunningly-unprepared Pato, and into the crisp netting of the goal. It was the knockout punch the Little Ponies wanted to deliver, and NSI was unable to respond in the ten minutes they had left.

With the final whistle, the Equestrians piled atop their teammates at midfield, blissfully enjoying the knowledge that they were returning to the semifinals. A few hours later, the mood would be much different when the Little Ponies learned of their opponents. Polar Islandstates. Perhaps it's only fitting that the two teams that faced each other in World Cup 64's Group H would meet in the semifinals of a tournament hosted by another one of their groupmates. On his semifinal opponent, the Little Ponies' captain Rainbow Blitz had the following to say: "They're good. Have no doubt about it, the Chicks are a dangerous team if their national team counterparts are anything to judge by. We lost pretty badly to them in the World Cup, but don't forget we're also one of the best. We've all been to the semifinals before and we barely lost to the eventual champs; the Chicks are definitely a beatable opponent, but don't think we're taking them lightly. I'm confident I speak for the team when I say that we're looking to win this time around, not just get another stinkin' third place ribbon."

The Equestrian States will take on Polar Islandstates at Arçon's Arrowpoint Palace in two days, where the teams will battle for the right to face the winner of the Free Republics-Felix semifinal in the 27th Di Bradini Cup final.

[Saugeais]

Looks like everyone RPed. Semi final cutoff is now!

Semi Finals

Equestrian States 3–0 Polar Islandstates

Felix 1–1 Free Republics (1–3 AET)

Third Place match
Polar Islandstates vs. Felix @Arrowpoint Place

Finals
Equestrian States vs. Free Republics @Stade Amaechi Olsen

Both matches will be scored 48 hours from now.

[Free Republics]

Sporting World

Free Republics beat Felix again, 3-1 AET
by: Nova Hellstrom

The Federation of Free Republics U-21s are going to the finals of the Di Bradini Cup. The former Petrograd United manager, Rule Theriault, has proven that he is a capable manager, with 6 consecutive victories in the Di Bradini Cup. While the Equestrian States was running away with their match against the Polar Islandstates, Mr. Theriault's Republicans faced their most difficult challenge to date, from a team they beat easily the first time around. That was most certainly unexpected.

Aurelianno Sanna's Felix side had somehow reached the semi-finals and were regarded, coming in, as the weakest semi-finalist. They seemed to be determined to prove that they belonged. Things went wrong early for the Republicans when Miroslav Bozek over-pursued the ball, allowing Luca Esser to get through on goal. Esser put his shot just past the arms of Ausilio Mancini as it went into the net. Felix had taken an early lead. "I was trying to get the ball," says the young center-back, "but I was too aggressive going for the ball. He got by me and just seconds later, I saw him celebrating a goal. That was not the way I expected this match to start." Of course, it wasn't.

What followed was a myriad of missed opportunities for the Republicans. Jan Beranek was playing at attack midfield for Jens Koch, who had received a red card for fighting during the previous Republican match. Beranek had been injured against Felix in the first game and he was tentative, afraid of getting injured again. On multiple occasions, he hesitated before passing and the pass, which should have set up a scoring chance, would be intercepted by the defense. Things were not going the way Rule Theriault had hoped.

Still, the Republicans got a few chances over the course of the game. In the 28th minute, Ayub Sandstrom set up Leo Cremonesi, who put the ball into the post. 5 minutes later, a long pass from Kieran Hancock to Kyle Bolton led to a shot that just missed the net. If it had been a few inches to the right, it would have been a goal. By the time the 1st half ended, the FFR had blown a number of chances and they were down a goal to nil.

Early in the second half, Felix came out and got a few scoring chances of their own. Noé Fierro's 51st minute shot was deflected by Mancini for a corner and the corner would be headed away to safety by Joseph Poole. In the 57th minute, Sebastian Krister attempted a long shot, but Ausilio Mancini came through again. It soon became clear that Felix was not going to score another goal.

As the game approached the 70-minute mark, a number of Republican players were exhausted. Mr. Theriault decided to bring on replacements. Koby Theodore came in for Leo Cremonesi. Porvaldur Hinriksson replaced Kyle Bolton. Nikodem Sobczak came in for Arnou Labrecque. "I noticed that the players were exhausted," said the Republican manager after the match, "so I decided to bring on 3 substitutes to get some fresh legs in there. Based on the result, I'd say my decision worked as intended."

Suddenly, the momentum of the match turned, but the Republicans blew a number of scoring chances. Hinriksson would be called offside in the 77th minute. In the 81st minute, Beranek's long shot would hit the post. Faredin Pozenel's 86th minute shot would be knocked out for a corner. Ayub Sandstrom took the corner. Kieran Hancock headed it out for a goal kick. It seemed like Felix would go onto the finals.

Then, everything changed in the 90th minute. Hancock intercepted a Felix pass and passed forward to Beranek. The attacking midfielder passed to Bernard Lukic. Lukic crossed to Faredin Pozenel, who faked a shot and passed to Koby Theodore. Arthur Schultheis had moved out of position, so Theodore put it in for an easy goal to equalize the match at 1 goal apiece. Luca Esser's desperation shot was saved by Ausilio Mancini and the match went to extra time.

In extra time, the floodgates opened for the FFR. In the 93rd minute, a Porvaldur Hinriksson shot was put out for a corner. Bernard Lukic's corner would be headed in for a goal by Jan Beranek. FFR led 2 goals to 1, but they weren't done. Just moments later, Kieran Hancock intercepted a pass and passed the ball to Ayub Sandstrom. Sandstrom crossed to Koby Theodorre, who put the match out of reach with his second goal. The score was 3 to 1 in favor of the FFR and it was just the 95th minute. After that goal, Rule Theriault's Republicans seemingly were unconcerned with scoring additional goals. They just controlled possession, denying Felix the opportunity to score goals. The FFR would hold on and win 3 goals to 1, AET.

Meanwhile, the Equestrian States defeated Polar Islandstates 3 goals to nil, setting up a final between 2 nations that have never won the Di Bradini Cup. Rumor has it that the Equestrian States, from a region called the "Pony Lands," are a nation of horses and horse-like creatures with intelligence on par with humans, but that can't be. Everybody knows that humans are the only intelligent species and horses are cute animals that are fun to ride. Personally, I've always been a fan of horse racing and I even like dressage. I'm sure they named their country Equestrian States because they also like horse racing and dressage, but there is no way that a horse can have the intelligence of a human. Freedom Sports 8 has agreed to broadcast the finals of the Di Bradini Cup, so those of you that have been reading my reports on this rather interesting international sports event can finally watch a Di Bradini Cup match legally without traveling to Saugeais. You will no longer have to watch illegal foreign versions of the Di Bradini Cup, such as those available on Sanctustube.pop.sanctvs and other foreign web sites that do not respect even the reasonable 5 year terms of Republican copyright legislation.

Nova Hellstrom is an young sports journalist, just out of journalism school. She got her start covering high school soccer for the Petrograd Times. At one time, she played girls soccer for Petrograd Christian School. She was recently discovered by Sporting World. Her first assignment will be covering the Di Bradini Cup.

[Equestrian States]

ESPN: Equestrian Sports Programming Network
Di Bradini Cup 27: Little Ponies Trample Chicks to Reach Final
by Steve McNotapony

Equestrian States 3-0 Polar Islandstates
at Arrowpoint Palace in Arçon, Saugeais
Attendance: 51,000
Scoring:
Sonar '19 (Stardust)
Rainbow Blitz '51 (Stardust)
Krystal '64 (Rainbow Blitz)

ARÇON, SAUGEAIS - Revenge, sweet revenge. In a semifinal expected to push the Little Ponies to their limits, the Equestrian States U-21s not only emerged victorious over Polar Islandstates' Chicks, but pulverized them 3-0 to at least somewhat avenge the national team's group stage loss to the Polarians in the last World Cup.

Prior to the match, there was clearly much excitement among both teams, carrying their respective legacies into what was predicted to be a clash of the titans. Polar Islandstates looking to return to the finals for a chance at their first title since the 20th Di Bradini Cup. Hoping to spoil the Polarian dream were the Equestrian States U-21s, striving to be the first Equestrian team to reach an international final since the national hoofball team streaked into the Equestria Cup II championship match. The supporters of both nations were out in force, belting out chants and songs to spur their teams on to what they hoped would be a great victory. In short, it was the perfect setup for a legendary semifinal match.

The match began as expected. Both teams were clearly well-prepared and determined to make their mark on the tournament by advancing, starting off strong and evenly-matched. Torsten Wolff and the Polarian offense drove hard to open up a lead, but Gentle Breeze held steady in front of the goal to keep the match scoreless. Then, at about the 15th minute, Rainbow Blitz and the Little Ponies began to make their own powerful runs on the Chicks' goal. Patrick Superanaskaia was ready for the longer-distance shots fired off by Wither and Krystal, but one of the Polarian goalkeeper's stops wasn't as clean as others. A 18 yard bullet from Ironhide was barely turned aside by Superanaskaia, flying over the crossbar to give the Equestrians a valuable corner kick.

With practiced ease, Krystal hammered the ball into the box where Stardust gained control of it. Well-covered and without a good angle to take the shot, the pegasus slipped a pass to the charging Sonar who buried a lightning bolt in the back of the net to give the Equestrians a 1-0 lead. But the goal wasn't enough to crush the determination of the Chicks, who fought back with equal ferocity. The clock pressed on as the teams remained locked in a battle for control of the ball. Neither side could be said to have the advantage in momentum. When the referee brought an end to the half, both teams were beginning to show signs of wearing down, but were far from being done.

The Equestrian States came out of the break refreshed and ready for another grueling half of intense hoofball. But the intensity of the first half wasn't going to rematerialize. The Little Ponies stormed through the Polarian midfield, keeping consistent pressure on Polar Islandstates' captain Aapo Nordenberg and the Chicks' defense. At the front of the stampede was Rainbow Blitz, feeding the forwards passes and launching a couple of his own shots. As the Equestrian supporters cheered on their beloved team, one of the Little Ponies' captain's shots made it by Superanaskaia and cleanly nestled into the back of the net.

It was the second goal that then caused the floodgates of the Equestrian offense to open wide. With momentum clearly on their side, the Little Ponies continued their absolute dominance of the second half with shot after shot on goal. In the end, Krystal would deliver what would prove to be the final blow, sending home a brilliant shot from beyond the box that somehow found its way by the Polarian defense and keeper, falling into the net to expand the Equestrian States' lead to three.

The Chicks fought back after Krystal's goal, desperate to keep their chances alive; but it was far too late for Polar Islandstates to rally from behind. Buckling down, the Equestrians steadily defended their half of the pitch, keeping their opponents from getting a clear shot on goal and slowly bringing an end to the Polarian title dreams. By the time the final whistle sounded, the Equestrian supporters were as loud as I can remember them being; and with good reason too, as the Equestrian States will compete in their first tournament final, in any sport, in over five years.

That semifinal match may have started a lot of parties across the Equestrian States, but the Little Ponies and Rainbow Blitz cannot rest just yet. Free Republics still stands in the way of the Equestrians' aspirations for a Di Bradini Cup title, and it's almost certain to be their most challenging match to date and the most important one in these players' young lives.

---

ESPN: Equestrian Sports Programming Network
Di Bradini Cup 27: Final Poses One Last Barrier for Little Ponies
by Steve McNotapony

Equestrian States vs. Free Republics
at Stade Amaechi Olsen in Montbenoit, Saugeais
Capacity: 68,500

Semifinals Results:
Equestrian States 3, Polar Islandstates 0
Free Republics 3, Felix 1 (AET)

MONTBENOIT, SAUGEAIS - Well, here we are. After 62 matches played, 176 goals scored, and 30 world-class teams eliminated, two young teams remain to contest the 27th Di Bradini Cup: Free Republics and the Equestrian States. And after tomorrow, there will be only one still standing. Now let's take a look at these two championship contenders and how they got here...

Free Republics is a newcomer to the world of international sports, their national team still yet to debut in the Baptism of Fire or World Cup qualifying. Nevertheless, the young nation's U-21 team has shown extraordinary promise in reaching the semifinals of the Di Bradini Cup in their first try. If their national team shows half the talent these youths have displayed, Free Republics should be an early favorite to win their Baptism of Fire. Fighting their way to an impressive perfect record in Group G, the Republicans allowed just one goal in their first three Di Bradini Cup matches. However, the knockout rounds have proven much more difficult for Free Republics, winning against Cassadaigua and Licentiapacisterra by single-goal margins and needing additional extra time to defeat Felix in the semifinals. The challenges of the knockout stage have helped sharpen the Republicans through giving them needed experience with tough matches.

In contrast, the Equestrian States is competing in its fourth Di Bradini Cup, and its national team is widely-respected after qualifying for the last World Cup. One of the lead players on both the national and U-21 teams is 20 year-old midfielder Rainbow Blitz, recently given the honor of Best Foreign Player in the Stellar Division of Vilita and Turori. The Little Ponies narrowly missed the final of the previous Di Bradini Cup, having to settle for a third place finish instead. Coming into this tournament, the team's supporters held high expectations and have been (for the most part) satisfied by the Equestrian States' dominance. Outside of an opening match draw with Sangti, the Little Ponies have crushed most of their opponents, surrendering just three goals en route to the final.

These two teams are well-matched. The dream-clutching rookies against the experienced veterans. All signs point to a thrilling final. But there is something about Free Republics which has incensed many in the Equestrian States, something which has bothered the Equestrians since they first emerged onto the international scene: the ignorance of the media.

Free Republics' "Sporting World" writer, Nova Hellstrom, recently published an article making numerous blatantly false and poorly-researched claims about the Equestrian States. First, Hellstrom stated that there were rumors that the Equestrians are intelligent horses, a common error among the international media given their inability to know the clear difference between a Clydesdale horse and a Cloudsdale pegasus. Such rumors likely originated from Free Republics' regional neighbors Saintland, and their notoriously speciesist news networks. Second, the amateur reporter claimed that there is no way the Equestrian States could be inhabited by sapient equines as humans are "the only intelligent species" and "there is no way that an [equine] can have the intelligence of a human."

Nova Hellstrom, who was assigned to cover the Di Bradini Cup by "Sporting World," has clearly demonstrated a number of very idiotic mistakes made by inexperienced reporters. First, she clearly failed to watch any footage of the other semifinal match (or any other match involving the Equestrian States), instead looking solely at the scores. Heck, she didn't even seem to notice that the Little Ponies' roster has very few names which could be considered normal in any human nation. Second, she somehow managed to miss the fact that Free Republics' own national baseball team was beaten earlier by the Equestrian States' team, which has numerous sapient ponies on it. For the sake of Free Republics' U-21s, I hope they actually did some research on the nature of their opponents. Otherwise, the 27th Di Bradini Cup's final will be horribly one-sided.

Regardless of the moronic failings of the Free Republics media, the final should be a closely-contested bout between two teams eager to prove themselves worthy of the title. Both deserve their spot in the final, and should be proud of their accomplishment in getting this far. However, there can be only one champion. And although some might call me biased, I have to pick the Little Ponies to bring home the Equestrian States the nation's first international sports title in over five years.

[Polar Islandstates]

Captain Aapo Nordenberg looks philosophical as he contemplates the result at the final whistle
WIPEOUT
Chicks blown away by Equestrian States

The Chicks were left stunned in Arçon last night as they were blown away by a strong Equestrian States side seeking to reach its first ever Di Bradini Cup final.

Just as much as the Chicks had sought to defeat Darmen in vengeance for a result at the last World Cup, so the Little Ponies were out to seek retribution for the Terns' defeat of their Ponies in the group stage. In front of a packed Arrowpoint Palace, both sides started with vigour, Ole van Jendrisen in particular waving the side on in earnest as the Chicks looked for an early goal. Wolff was the obvious shout for an early goal, and after being played through by Karlsen's long ball he was unlucky to scuff the ground and drag his shot well wide. Aapo Nordenberg also rose highest from a corner to attack the Little Ponies' goal, but the ball from Zeljeznicar's delivery was two high for even the giant centre-back, and the ball bounced away for a throw-in off the top of his forehead.

The Little Ponies were in no mood to let the Chicks come at them time and time again however, and a corner earned from a world class save from Superanaskaia was the breakthrough; slammed home ferociously by a shot from Sonar who buried it beyond the reach of any human being. The Chicks responded well, with a long range free kick from Aagard causing a few worried Equestrian faces before going wide, and with Torsten Wolff again finding some decent channels. The first half ended however, and with it went the Chicks chances of building on their growing confidence.

The opposition came out from the half time interval with an intensity that they had not shown up til that point, and the Chicks could muster no immediate response. Aagard and Einarsson in particular appeared to leave their footballing brains in the changing rooms, and the Little Ponies waltzed through the centre of the park seemingly at will in the opening minutes of the second half. This was duly noted by van der Riise, and Anders Holzhauser was prepared on the touchlines. The substitution would not happen in time for the Chicks defence however, and Nordenberg's backline finally gave out. Rainbow Blitz was the player in the end, the Little Ponies captain bursting through the ranks of navy shirts and unleashing a shot that seemed to go straight through Superanaskaia.

The goal seemed to kill off the Chicks defence, and they were put upon from that moment on. Nordenberg and Superanaskaia each produced heroics, with Jan Horvat also weighing in with a last ditch tackle as Sonar bore down on goal again, but the pressure would break the backline again before long, and this time it was Krystal who produced the film star moment the Little Ponies fans had been waiting for, whipping a magnificent shot from beyond the box the worked a way through an impossible gap in the crowded penalty box before nestling in the goal.

The Chicks would finally come to life after the third goal, with substitutes Kuetari and Frederiksen each coming close to a consolation goal, but the opposition were too god when it mattered earlier in the match, and the Chicks will instead have to make do with a third place play-off match against an impressive looking Felix side that have raised eyebrows on their own way to the final four. The Chicks will be disappointed, but a third place would represent van der Riise's best performance at a Di Bradini Cup for some time, and would lead to renewed hopes of a strong Terns side for years to come.

In particular, sqaud captain and man of the match Aapo Nordenberg, Alexander Aagard, Alexis Zeljeznicar, and Torsten Wolff look like having a bright Terns future, and if their development is the greatest thing to come from this tournament, then so be it.

The third place play-off will be at Arrowpoint Palace once again, two nights from now, where the Chicks will debut their new kit designed by Kirola of Audioslavia. It would have been nice to have seen it debuted for the first time in the final, but these things happen in international football.

[Saugeais]

Finals/Third Place playoff cutoff!

Third Place Match
Felix 2–3 Polar Islandstates

Finals
Equestrian States 1–0 Free Republics

Congratulations to Equestrian States on winning the 27th Di Bradini Cup, commiserations to Free Republics for coming up just a little short, and a hearty thank you to all who participated!

[Equestrian States]

Little Ponies Not So Little Anymore
by Steve McNotapony

Equestrian States 1-0 Free Republics
at Stade Amaechi Olsen in Montbenoit, Saugeais
Attendance: 68,500
Scoring:
Wither '76 (Rainbow Blitz)

MONTBENOIT, SAUGEAIS - Nearly seven years ago, the Equestrian States celebrated it's first title in any international sporting event, hoping that it would be the first of many. But over the next six years, despite sending team after team abroad to battle for glory and honor, the Equestrians would be sorely disappointed time and time again. Now, for the first time since the then-unknown national hoofball team brought home the Market Cup V title, the Equestrian States has a championship to celebrate: the 27th Di Bradini Cup.

After a third place finish in the last Cup, many Equestrians expected the U-21 hoofball team to return to the semifinals of the tournament and the Little Ponies would not disappoint their adoring supporters. With their stunning 3-0 blowout of Polar Islandstates, the Equestrian States U-21s sealed their place in the final against first-timers Free Republics. But despite the Little Ponies complete domination of their previous knockout stage opponents, few could claim to not have any concerns about facing a Republican side that was still undefeated despite a number of closer calls as the tournament progressed.

And so the final of the 27th Di Bradini Cup began between two sides without a loss to their names. Both the Equestrian States and Free Republics looked to establish control of the match's pace early, exchanging attacks and brilliant saves by their goalkeepers. Gentle Breeze was at the top of her game throughout the match, denying numerous attempts by Republican attackers to put their side in front. As the first half progressed, the Equestrian defenders adapted and lightened Gentle Breeze's load considerably to shore up her attempt at a fifth clean sheet in seven matches.

With the defense stopping attack after attack by Free Republics, the Little Ponies' forwards and midfielders had to counter with their own drives at the Republican goalkeeper. With the clock pushing into the final minutes of the first half, Rainbow Blitz and the stellar Equestrian midfield joined the offensive in earnest, trying to give the Little Ponies a lead to carry into the locker room. But goalkeeper Ausilio Mancini had braced himself for the attack, turning aside several well-placed shots before the whistle signaled the conclusion of the half.

As was to be expected, the Equestrian States U-21s would come out of the locker rooms with renewed determination to dominate every square centimeter of the pitch. However, Free Republics matched these aspirations with their own to not be on the wrong side of the scoreboard by the end of the day. Instead of commanding control of the match throughout the second half, the Little Ponies would have to settle for a battle of attrition. Chipping away at the energy of their opponents, the Equestrians negated a couple of substitutions by the Republicans with short but fierce drives, specifically trying to tire the substitutes.

By the 70th minute both sides were beginning to show signs of slowing, but when Equestrian head coach Pearly White swapped out Ironhide with the very young, very eager, and extremely energetic Apple Cobbler, the pace of the Little Ponies gained a boost that would prove critical to the outcome of the final. The Equestrian States renewed their attacks, keeping the ball confined to Free Republics' third of the field. Facing constant and unrelenting pressure, there was no way for Ausilio Mancini and the Republican defense to hold out forever. Finally, the decisive blow fell.

Rainbow Blitz was preparing to make a sharply-angled shot at a small window presented to him when he spotted Wither closing on the goal, the net unprotected before her. Feigning a shot, the pegasus captain of the Little Ponies flicked the ball to a wide open Wither who wasted no time directing it into the net, sending the Equestrian supporters to their hooves, feet, and claws. They would remain standing, screaming and cheering as the final minutes of the match trickled away. The Free Republics U-21s would make a few last-ditch attempts to equalize, but found themselves unable to penetrate the Equestrian defense, reinvigorated by the substitution of Wishbone for Rainboom Flyer in the back line. The final whistle blew and the Little Ponies celebrated their victory by piling atop each other at midfield before being presented with the trophy and hoisting it high for the world to see.

With the Di Bradini Cup title, the Equestrian States has continued to prove that its hoofball team has some of the most potential of any team out there. Top-notch performances by Rainbow Blitz, Gentle Breeze, Stardust, Krystal, Sonar, Wither, and Pristina Shine have brought them attention from all corners of the world. With such amazing talent, there's no questioning of if the Equestrian States national team will continue to improve in the coming years. Next year, the Little Ponies will lose just three starters, retaining most of their best players for an attempt at defending their title and keeping the Equestrian States at the top of international youth hoofball. But even if the Equestrians don't successfully defend their title next year, there is no way to deny that these Little Ponies have cemented their status as giants.